Best Dive Spots in the World

Every diver has a list of bucket list locations. Accumulated from both personal experience and universal acclaim, we have put together a list of locations you should add to that list. Whether you find yourself planning a diving-driven vacation or just happen to be travelling to one of these beautiful parts of the world, we hope everyone has the opportunity to check out a few of these famous spots.

Barracuda Point—Sipadan Island, Malaysia

This dive boasts a wall of coral surrounded by sharks and barracuda. If you want to see something big, this is the place to go looking. The occasional strong current will blast over the area, bringing white tips, turtles, grouper, jacks, and bumphead parrotfish to the area. Of course, you’ll likely see a barracuda—the point’s namesake.

Anacapa Island—California, United States

This is an incredibly cold dive, but it is absolutely worth it. In August, divers should expect highs of 70 degrees, but prepare for 60 degrees or below in the spring and fall. Once you get past the temperature, however, you’ll be able to explore one of the most interesting dives in the country. With peak visibility at 50 feet, divers can swim alongside sea lions, rays, sea bass, and small ship wrecks.

Thistlegorm—Egyptian Red Sea

In 1941, a British naval vessel was attached from the air, sinking into the Red Sea while carrying a cargo of war supplies—rifles, motor bikes, train carriages, and trunks. Now, the Thistlegorm is one of the most interesting diving spots in the world. Though you’ll likely need several dives to fully explore the wreck, scuba divers will feel like explorers at this site.

Eilat—Israel

Another Red Sea diving spot, this Israeli reef can reach temperatures of 77 degrees Fahrenheit. With almost no current and incredible visibility, this is the site of an Israeli marine biologist restoration effort. The area is home to eels, ship wrecks, coral, and hundreds of schools of fish. If you get to dive here, we recommend checking out the Satil Ship Wreck.

Darwin Island—Galapagos

20% of the marine life here is found nowhere else in the world. If that doesn’t make you want to dive into these turquoise waters, we don’t know what will. Glimpse Whale sharks from late June to October, and expect to see hammerhead sharks, sea lions, sea turtles, eels, penguins, and marine iguanas nearly year-round.